Automated slide staining system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an automatic slide staining system which will process stained slides, such as cytology or histology specimens. The present invention includes two embodiments for the staining system. The first system includes a slide storage device, a slide transport apparatus, a first platen including a plurality of staining stations, and a heating station. In order to utilize the first embodiment of the system of the present invention, the stained slides are placed in the storage device. The slides are removed from the storage device and are processed on the various stations via the transport apparatus. The first system can be altered slightly so that a cover slip apparatus can be incorporated within the system. In order to do so, the heating station is removed. A cover slip dispensing apparatus replaces the heating station. This will permit for a cover slip to be placed on the stained slide after a complete transverse of the slide staining stations.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 277,170, filed Jul. 19, 1994, and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,346.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for staining slides of humantissue specimens, and more particularly for staining histology andcytology tissue specimens on a slide for subsequent microscopicexamination.

2. Description of the Background Art

Throughout the United States steps are being taken to improve SlideStaining Systems for subsequent pathologic examination in medicallaboratories and hospitals. The primary cost component of preparing andstaining a slide is labor. Accordingly, many efforts have been devotedto reduce the labor cost component of preparing a slide. With the adventof cost containment throughout the health-care industry, renewed effortsare being made to examine all direct labor cost areas with a focus onreducing the amount of labor heretofore involved, and the associatedcost.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,472 issued to Slonicki, discloses anautomated system for the application of cover glasses on histologicaland cytological slides. Patent '472 discloses a processing area whereina slide that has been stained previously is progressively turned 90degrees to mate with a cover glass to insure a contamination free tissuespecimen. Patent '472 also disclosed a device for depositing glue on thestain slide and a device for applying the cover glass to the gluedportion of the slide. Patent '472 is silent of the use of a fumeextractor to remove noxious and harmful fumes from the apparatus whichcould cause a reduction in the quality of the surrounding environment,where other lab personnel are working.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,019 issued to Pickett disclosed an apparatus forcovering a slide with a tape material. Patent '019 teaches away from theuse of a cover glass to seal the specimen and maintain the specimen in acontamination free environment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,465 issued to Zold discloses an apparatus fordispensing a staining fluid. Patent '465 does not teach or suggest usingthe apparatus for sealing the stained slide with any type of opticallycorrect transparent material. Patent '465 further is silent to the useof a fume extractor for cleaning the toxic and noxious gases generatedin the staining process and removing potentially harmful compounds fromthe environment which could be harmful to laboratory workers who areadjacent to or in proximity to the slide staining apparatus.

None of these previous efforts, however, provide the benefits intendedwith the present invention. Additionally, prior techniques do notsuggest the present inventive combination of component elements asdisclosed and claimed herein. The present invention achieves itsintended purposes, objectives and advantages over the prior art devicethrough a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements,which is simple to use, with the utilization of a minimum number offunctioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, assemble, testand by employing only readily available material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an automatic staining system for whichwill successfully and efficiently process stained slides, such ascytology or histology specimens. This system of the present inventionenables the stain slide to be process and includes an alternativeembodiment for enabling a cover slip to be secured thereto. Suchversatility in an apparatus will provide a system which is accuratelyand effectively process any specimen on a stained slide. This system ofthe present invention is so design so as to minimize the amount ofmaterial used during conventional process as well as provide a systemwhich will distribute solution, used in the staining process, thoroughlyand without trapping air therein.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the system is used toprocess slides and provides a protective layer thereon, once the slidehas been process. In this embodiment, the system of the presentinvention includes a slide storage device, a slide transport apparatus,a processing platen including a plurality of staining stations, and aheating station.

The slides to be processed are stored in the slide storage device. Uponactivation of the apparatus, the slides are expelled, one at a time, forprocessing via the slide transport apparatus. This transport apparatusfurther enables the slides to be carried onto the staining stations forprocessing.

The last dispensing station on the processing platen releases a resinsolution. From this dispensing station, the slide is guided to a heatingstation. At this time the resin coating, which was applied at the lastdispensing station, is dried. This will provide for the slide to have aprotective resin coating. After the resin has dried, the slide will bedropped into a slide receptacle.

The embodiment described above can be altered slightly so that a coverslip apparatus can be incorporated within the system. In order to do so,the heating station is removed. A cover slip dispensing apparatusreplaces the heating station. In this configuration a cover slip isapplied direction after the staining of the particular slide. Asdesirable, this particular arrangement will intrinsically offer moreprotection to the processed specimen.

Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide for astaining system that will process stained slides efficiently andeffectively and which will overcome the deficiencies, drawbacks, andshortcomings of prior staining apparatus and methods thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for a stainingsystem which will process stained slides and encapsulate the specimen ona slide in a sterile and contaminant free environment while utilizingminimal laboratory labor.

Still another object if the present invention is to provide a slidestaining system that will successfully eliminate any potential forcellular contamination between slides during the staining process thiswill result in preventing the tissue specimen to be in directcommunication with the slide staining apparatus for inherentlypreventing any cross contamination of specimens between successiveslides.

A further object of the present invention to provide a slide stainingsystem that removes all the toxic and noxious fumes generated in theslide staining process from the surrounding environment in order toreduce the adverse effect on laboratory personnel.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a slidestaining system that can quickly be converted from histologicalspecimens to cytological specimens with minimal downtime and minimalconversion effort.

Still a further object of the present invention, to be specificallyenumerated herein, is to provide a slide staining system in accordancewith the proceeding objects and which will conform to conventional formsof manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as toprovide a device that would be economically feasible, long lasting andrelatively trouble free in operation.

Although there have been many inventions related to a slide stainingsystem none of the inventions have become sufficiently compact, low costand reliable enough to become commonly used. The present invention meetsthe requirements of the simplified design, compact size, low initialcost, low operating cost, ease of installation and maintainability, andminimal amount of training to successfully employ the invention.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of theinvention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrativeof some of the more prominent features and application of the intendedinvention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying thedisclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the inventionwithin the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and afuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to thedetailed description of the preferred embodiments in addition to thescope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction withthe accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automated slide staining system ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the automated slide staining system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slide storage device used in thestaining system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the cannula tubes used in the staining systemof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bottle which is used to hold thestaining fluids used in the automated slide staining system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the cover slip apparatus used in thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the cover slip apparatus having the racksecured thereto, used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial side view of an enlarged portion of the cover slipapparatus used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews of the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, thepresent invention will be described. As seen in these figures, thepresent invention is an automatic slide staining system 10 comprising aslide storage device 12, a slide transport apparatus 14, and aprocessing platen 16 including a plurality of staining stations 18.

The slide storage device 12 is designed and configured to removablyreceive slides (not illustrated), such as cytology or histology. Assuch, this slide storage device 12 is removably secured to the base ofthe system. The slide storage device, also known as a carousel, isillustrated in further detail in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. When secured, theslide storage device 12 will be disposed in a horizontal position, asseen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

This slide storage device or carousel 12 is removably secured to a shaft(not illustrated) of a first motor (stepper motor) 22. Once the machineis activated, the first motor is initiated to provide for the shaft torotate. The slides are then individually discharged onto slide transportapparatus 14 in order to be processed on the various stations 18 of theprocessing platen 16.

The carousel 12, as illustrated in these drawings and in further detailin FIG. 3, has an upper portion 24 and a lower portion 26. The upper andlower portions are substantially identical in shape and size.

The upper and lower portions 24 and 26, respectively, each have an innersurface 28 and an outer surface 30. The inner surface 28 of the upperportion 24 faces the inner surface 28 of the lower portion 26. Centrallylocated in each of the portions is an aperture (not illustrated).

Located between the upper portion and lower portion is a hollow rod 32.The rod has a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first and secondends are received in the apertures which are located in the upper andlower portion, respectively. The shaft of the first motor on thestaining apparatus receives the hollow rod. This provides for the slidestorage device to have a horizontally disposed central axis once it issecured to the shaft.

A plurality of radially oriented walls are provided along the innersurface of the upper and lower portion. These walls form a plurality ofcompartments 38. A retainer spring 40 is oriented between two adjacentwalls for permitting releasable securement of the slide within thecompartment. This retainer spring will permit for the carousal to acceptslides of arbitrary thickness.

The slides are released, one at a time, from the storage device and ontothe processing platen 16 via a slide transport apparatus 14. This slidetransport apparatus comprises a first pair of conveyor belts 42 and asecond pair of conveyor belts 44.

The design and structure of the conveyor belts permit a means ofreleasing the stained slides from the carousel and a means oftransporting the slides to the various stations.

The first pair 42 of conveyor belts are parallel to each other and arelocated between the carousel and staining stations.

The second pair 44 of conveyor belts are parallel to each other and arelocated below and along the sides of the processing stations.

The first pair of conveyer belts extend around a first pulley 46 and asecond pulley 48 (partly illustrated). The second pair of conveyor beltsextend around a third pulley and a fourth pulley (neither illustrated).The first pulley is located within a housing 20 and is in the proximityof the carousel 12. The second pulley is located within the housing andis in the proximity of the first staining station. The third pulley islocated next to the second pulley and the fourth pulley is located atthe far end of the first platen.

The conveyor belts further include a plurality of evenly spaced rods orpips 50 which protrude vertically and beyond the processing stations.The rods or pips 50 in each pair of belts are in co-alignment. Once theapparatus is activated, the belts start to rotate about the pulleys.This provides for the rods or pips 50 from the first pair of belts 42 topush on the edge of a slide in the carousel 12. This causes the slide tobe horizontally released from the carousel 12 and onto the belt 42 toprovide for the specimen to be traveling in a downward position. Aroller 52 is located adjacent to the carousel 12 to ensure that theslide in secured on the belt as it is released from the storage device12.

While traveling on the first pair of conveyor belts 42, the slide willpass under an optical sensor (not illustrated). This optical sensor willinitiate the count of the individually transferred slides as each slideengages onto the first belts 42 prior to the staining process.Optionally, this optical sensor can be replaced with a microswitch, inorder to activate the unit.

The slide is then transported from the first pair of belts 42 to thesecond pair of belts 44 to permit for the rods or pips 50 from thesecond pair of belts 44 to aid in the transportation of the slide bydriving it to the various processing stations.

A second motor (stepper motor) 54 is utilized to control and activatethe first and second pairs of conveyor belts. This will provide for theslides to move at a constant rate of motion over the staining stations.The slide transport apparatus further includes an override switch fordisengaging the stepper motor and stopping the movement of the slidetransport apparatus when an alarm condition has been detected.

The processing platen 16 of the automated slide staining system 10includes staining stations 18. The staining stations have a uniquedesign and configuration. As illustrated in the figures (FIGS. 1 and 2),located at the corner of each station 18 is an aperture 56. Theseapertures 56 allow for a staining fluid to be dispensed in a capillaryform between the underside of the slide and the upper surface of eachstaining station.

As further illustrated, the stations 18 are configured to be on theprocessing platen 16 at an acute angle. This acute angle aids in theflow of the staining fluid on the slide and also aids in the removal ofthe chemical as the slide is leaving the respective station.

The processing platen 16 further includes a plurality of troughs 58,which are situated between each station, and reservoirs (notillustrated), which are located in the front of the staining stations18. A drainage orifice (not illustrated) is located within eachreservoir. A waste tank (not illustrated) is underneath the firstplaten. This arrangement provides for the excess staining fluid fromeach station to flow into the troughs and to the reservoir. From thereservoir, the excess fluid flows into the waste tank via the drainageorifices. The waste tank can easily be removed from the housing via afirst door 60. A display window 62 which is located on the front of theslide staining system 10, alerts the operator to empty and disposed ofthe fluid in the waste tank once a certain number of slides (i.e. 500)have been processed. The combination of the station being situated atacute angles and the location of the troughs provides for the stainingfluid from the preceding station not to carry over to the succeedingstation.

The last dispensing station 18a of the staining system dispenses a resinsolution onto the slide. Adjacent to the last station is a heatingstation. After the resin solution has been dispensed onto the slide, itwill travel to the heating station. The heating station consists of aconvector 64 which will enable the resin solution to dry so that thetissue specimen, located on the slide, will be sealed. This seal createsa protective coating so that the specimen will be in a sterile andcontaminant free environment.

From the heating station, each slide is directed to a slide receptacle66. This slide receptacle receives and maintains the slides after acomplete traverse of the slide staining stations.

The automated slide staining system also includes a fume extractormeans. The fume extractor means removes the toxic fumes generated by thestaining fluids during the dispensing cycle. The fume extractor meanscomprises of a plurality of openings 68, located above the stainingstations, a charcoal filter within a housing 70, and an exhaust 72having an exhaust fan. A cover or hood 74 is located above the stainingstations 18 in order to trap the fumes from the staining solutions. Thiswill enable them to be extracted from the area of the staining stationsby way of the plurality of the openings 68. The charcoal filter absorbsthe toxic fumes from the staining solution, while the exhaust fan whichis controlled by a third motor 76, disposes the purified fumes from theautomated slide staining system 10 via the exhaust 72.

The charcoal filter 70 can be remove and replaced simply by opening asecond door 78 on the housing. This second door 78 exposes the filter'shousing 70 and permits for it to be open so that the filter can beremoved and/or replaced.

The staining fluid used in the automated slide staining system travelsto its respective station via polytetraflouroethlyene (PTFE or TEFLON)transfer tubings 80, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. Each tube comprises afirst end and a second end. The first end is inserted to the undersideof the staining station and into the aperture. The second end isattached to a cannula tube 82.

The cannula tubes 82 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and as further illustratedin FIG. 4 are inserted into a plurality of containers 84 containing astaining fluid. These tubes are connected to a pump 86 to permit for thestaining fluid to flow from the cannula tube 82 to the aperture of thestaining station via the transfer tubing 80. The pump is controlled by afourth motor (illustrated but not labeled). The combination of thecannula tubes and the transfer tubing is also referred to as a channel.Each tubing is connected to a solenoid valve 88. The valve 88 controlsthe directional flow of the fluid. When the valve is in a closedposition, the fluid is recirculating within the channel, while when thevalve is in an open position, the fluid is diverted to the aperturewithin a station. When a slide is over the aperture of a particularstation, a microprocessor activates the valve, for that particularstation, to an open position. This will divert the fluid and provide forthat fluid to be dispensed onto the particular station.

The second motor (stepper motor) is utilized for actuating the conveyorbelts in order to guide the slides along the first platen of thestaining system. A microprocessor (located within the electric bay 90)is used to count the steps or distance that each slide travels. When aslide reaches a particular and predetermined distance, themicroprocessor will activate the solenoid valve so that the stainingfluid for a particular station can be diverted to that station. Thesolenoid valve will remain open until the slide has traveled a certainor predetermined distance, at which time the microprocessor will send asignal to close the solenoid valve. This closure of the solenoid valvewill provide for the fluid to recirculate within its respective channel.

The containers used for storing the respective staining fluids areprovided with a unique shape and design. As illustrated in FIG. 5, eachof the staining bottles includes an aperture 92 for receiving thecannula tube and two side walls 94, which are substantially longer thanthe front wall 96 and rear wall (not shown). The containers are placedin a box to provide for contact to be made with the container side walls(see FIG. 2). This box is placed within the housing via a third door 98(see FIG. 1) of the automated slide staining system 10. This arrangementpermits for the installation and replacement of the staining fluids tobe made quickly and efficiently by removing the box holding theplurality of containers.

As illustrated in the various views of the automated slide stainingsystem (FIGS. 1 and 2), the four digit LED display window 62 is locatedabove the processing platen 16. Located in the proximity of the displaywindow 62 is a plurality of keys or buttons 100. The keys or buttonsrepresent the number of slides which are being processed in a particularbatch 106, the speed of which the slides are traveling 104, and thenumber of slides which can be processed by utilizing the remainingstaining fluid located in the containers 102. The four digit LED displaywindow will enable an operator to display the desired key indication.

The speed at which the slides travel can be adjusted by the utilizationof the speed button 104. This speed button will not only display thespeed at which the slides are traveling, but will also permit the userto alter the speed. This change of speed will alter the intensity andcontrast of the stain with respect to the tissue specimen.

In order to utilize the automated slide staining system of the presentinvention, an operator inserts stained slides into the compartments 38of a storage device or carousel 12. The slides are secured in thestorage device by springs 40 which are located inside each storagecompartment.

The storage device is removably secured to a shaft. Once secured, theoperator can then activate the power supply 108 of the staining system10 by using a button to provide for the shaft to rotate, inherentlycausing the storage device 12 to rotate. The activation of the systemwill also initiate the conveyor belts 42 and 44.

The rods or pips 50 on the belts push or force a slide to exit thestorage container 12. The slide is released from the storage containerso that the specimen is facing in a downward position. The second motor54 is used to control and operate the conveyor belts. The use of thefirst and second motors (stepper motors) and the arrangement and spacingof the rods or pips will permit for the slides to be released one at atime.

After release from the storage device, the slide first contacts anoptical sensor (or optionally, a microswitch). The optical sensor (oroptionally, the microswitch) initiates the count of the individuallytransferred slide. After contact with the optical sensor the slide istransferred to the staining stations 18 via the second set of conveyorbelts 44.

The pulses that the microprocessor uses to drive a second motor 54 whichpowers the second set of conveyor belts are used to determine when themicroprocessor will activate the solenoid valve for a particularstation. Once a slide reaches a particular and predetermined distance,the microprocessor will transmit a signal to activate or open thesolenoid valve of a particular station. This will enable the stainingfluid to flow to the appropriate staining station. The solenoid valvewill remain open until the slide has traveled a certain or predetermineddistance, at which time the microprocessor will send a signal to closethe solenoid valve.

The particular distance in this system for activation of the solenoidvalve occurs when the slide is directly above the aperture in thestation. The particular distance in which a signal will be transmittedto deactivate the system will occur when the slide exits that particularstation.

The processing of the slides is continued until the slide reaches theheating station which includes the convector 64. At this time the resincoating, which was applied at the last dispensing station 18a, is dried.This will provide for the slide to have a protective resin coating.After the resin has dried, the slide will be transported and droppedinto a slide receptacle 66.

The automated slide staining system will continue to release the slidesfrom the storage device. This will continue until all the slides havebeen released or if there is not a sufficient amount of staining fluidto process the slides.

In the above-described embodiment, a heating unit is provided after thelast dispensing station. However, the automated slide staining systemcan be arranged such that a cover slip can be dispensed, one at a time,in order to apply it on a slide. This alteration is illustrated infurther detail in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The cover slipper apparatus includes a separate platen 120 which islocated in the proximity of the last station of the processing platen16. This separate platen or transporting platen 120 includes a first end122, a middle area 124, and a second end 126. This first end of theplaten is at an obtuse angle with respect to the middle area. The firstend 122 is located in the proximity above the distribution end of adispenser tray 110 which houses the slides. The middle portion 124 tothe second end of the transporting platen 120 is linear. The middle areaof the platen is in the proximity of the processing platen 16. Forenabling transportation of the cover slip and slide along the platen, athird pair of conveyor belts (illustrated, but not labeled) are locatedon the edge of the platen 120. Extending vertically and outwardly fromthese belts are a plurality of evenly spaced rods or pips (illustrated,but not labeled).

As also shown, the receptacle or dispenser tray 110 of the cover slipapparatus, which holds and maintains the cover slips provides for thecover slips to be held in a horizontally oriented position. Thisreceptacle 110 can be secured to apparatus by the use of securingbrackets (illustrated, but not labeled), a supporting platform 134, acombination thereof, or any conventional attaching means. Holdingbrackets, illustrated but not labeled, are not necessary for attachingthe cover slip apparatus to the housing 20, but are necessary formaintaining the various components of the cover slip apparatus.

The holding receptacle 110 further includes an opened end which allowsfor the removal of the cover slips therein, thereby providing for theopen end to face the processing platen 16. If a supporting platform 134is utilized then the electrical components which control the cover slipapparatus are housed therein. Optionally, if the supporting platform isnot used, then the electrical components which control the cover slipapparatus are housed within the housing 20 (illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2).

A tension block 136 is slidably secured to the dispenser tray 110 forproviding the cover slips to be held in position by the rear block whichis pulled by a spring. Such an arrangement forces the slips to bepressed up against a pair of rollers, also known as the first roller andsecond roller, acting as movable members.

Extending outwardly from the tension block 136 is a handle 138. A meanscan be provided for enabling the tension block to remain in a compressedstate for loading. Such a means can be conventional, such as providingan extension that is adapted to contact the spring and allow the springto be maintained in a compressed stated. The handle 138 permits the userto expose the dispenser tram for reloading of cover slips. Optionally,the tension block can be magnetically held in position in order to allowthe user to quickly and efficiently fill the receptacle.

The cover slip apparatus of the present invention further includes areleasing means for releasing the cover slips from the holdingreceptacle. The releasing means includes a plurality of rollers.

A first roller or ejector roller 140, which is controlled by a firstmotor housed either in the housing 20 or in the platform 134, ejects orremoves the cover slip from the receptacle to a second roller 142. Thisfirst roller 142 is located in front of the open end of the holdingreceptacle 110 and will contact the first or exposed cover slip. Thesecond roller 142, like the first roller, is controlled by a secondmotor, also housed in the supporting platform 134 or housing 20. Oncethe cover slip reaches the second roller 142, the rotation of the firstroller 140 ceases. Once this roller 140 ceases, the secondary roller 142rotates in order to guide the cover slip to the third roller orpositioning roller 144. This third roller or position roller 144 isfabricated from a durable and heavy material, such as stainless steeland is located above the secondary roller in order to ensure that thecover slip is properly positioned on the transport apparatus. As seen,this third roller 144 is maintained on a pair of slots (illustrated, butnot labeled) and is therefore adapted to move freely along the slots.Accordingly, when the cover slip approaches the third roller 144, it isdisplaced and will inherently push the cover slip forward and onto thefirst end 122 of the second platen 120. The slide, which includes theresin material, will contact the cover slip to provide for the coverslip to be secured to the slide. As the slide, having the cover slipattached thereto, approaches the second end 126, it is placed within arack 146. The rack 146 is situated over a heating source 148 foradequately and efficiently drying the resin and securing the cover slipon the slide. The activation of the automated slide staining system willprovide for the third set of conveyor belts to be activated. Thisactivation will permit for the utilization of the cover slip apparatus.

To ensure that only one cover slip is dispensed, a cover slip releasemechanism is disclosed. The release mechanism includes a pair of shafts(202,204 illustrated in FIG. 8), preferably fabricated from stainlesssteel, are mounted above the cover slip dispenser and above the firstroller 140. The first shaft 202 is mounted in a fixed position and thesecond shaft is mounted so that its ends floats in respective C-shapedcups. (Not illustrated)

The first shaft 202, like the cover slips and rollers, is disposedhorizontally and is aligned with the opened end of the holdingreceptacle. The second shaft is parallel to the first shaft and can movefreely within the C-shaped cups. These C-shaped cups are secured to thebracket, illustrated in FIG. 6, but not labeled. Hence, as the coverslip is removed, it extends between the two shafts. The upward motion ofthe cover slip forces the second shaft to move via the C-shaped cups.This movement causes a gap to be located between the first shaft andsecond shaft. The gap is of a sufficient dimension to enable only onecover slip to pass therethrough and to contact the second roller.

As illustrated in further detail in FIG. 6, the cover slip apparatusincludes an additional safety measure by providing a means of removingresin if a cover slip is not introduced onto the slide. This resinremoving means comprises a bar 150 located at a distant end of reservoir152. As the slide having no cover slip attached thereon contacts the bar150, the resin will be scraped and transferred into the reservoir 152.The ends of the bar 150 will allow gravity to force the resin down intothe reservoir 152. This bar can be designed such that it includestapered ends. This will provide for the bar to have a tip and the tipportion can be used to scrap the resin. The tapered ends will guide theexcess resin down into the respective reservoir.

For added security, the cover slip apparatus further includes aneutralizing means 154 for dissipating any potential electrostaticcharge which may occur as the cover slip is removed from the receptacle110. This neutralizing means 154 is conventional and can include anycommercially available and safe radioactive product.

The rack is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 6 and 7. As seen inthese figures, the rack 146 is located at end of the cover slipapparatus. This design and configuration will allow for the coveredslides to be stored safely therein. Located on the outer end of thecover slip apparatus, on the opposite end of the releasing means, is aconventional heating unit 156. This heating unit 156 will supplyappropriate heat for adequately and efficiently drying and curing theresin. This will provide for the cover slip to be secured to the slide.

The storage rack 146 is controlled by a storage rack drive unit 158.This unit 158 is coupled to the rack 146 and enable the rack to shiftupward once a slide is located therein. The unit 158 is conventional andpermits for the apparatus to extend upwards accordingly. An opticalsensor is located within the storage rack drive unit 158 for sensing anddetecting when the rack should be incremented.

This second embodiment further includes a second sensor which willdetect when the cover slip dispenser tray is empty. If the dispensertray is empty, a warning will be displayed on the front panel of the LEDdisplay window.

It is noted that in order to ensure the contact between the cover slipand slide, the last station 18a is situated below the other stations.This design and configuration will provide for a gap to exist betweenthe stained slide and station. The resin is then dispersed quickly fromthe apertures (illustrated, but not labeled).

Preferably, the apertures on the last station are so designed so thattwo drops are dispersed on the lower surface of the slide. A separatepump is used for dispersing the resin. This separate pump can be locatedwithin the housing 20. The apertures for the last station are sized suchthat a minimal amount of resin is extracted therefrom. A size for theapertures of approximately 0.013 inches in diameter has been usedsuccessfully.

The utilization of the automated slide staining system in conjunctionwith the present invention is similar to the use of the system with theheating station, except that in this embodiment, the heating station isreplaced with the cover slip storage and dispensing apparatus. In thisembodiment, the processing of the slides is continued until the slidereaches the cover slip apparatus. At this time the resin coating, whichis preferably distributed utilizing two apertures, applied at the lastdispensing station, acts as an adhesive for the cover slip.

As the slide comes into the cover slip area, the microprocessor, oroptionally, an optical sensor, detects its presence of the slide andwill send a signal for proper activation of the cover slip apparatus.This signal will activate the first motor. As shown in FIG. 8, the coverslip release mechanism is thus activated. This motor turns the firstroller 140. Since this roller contacts the first exposed cover slip asit rotates, clockwise, it inherently lifts the front cover slip. Thiscover slip then contacts the parallel shafts 202, 204. As it movesupwards via the first roller, it forces the second shaft to move causinga gap to be located between the first and second shaft acting as a coverslip metering device. The cover slip passes through the two shafts. Thisgap is of a dimension wherein only one cover slip can extendtherethrough. The gap is set by feeler gages, preferably, to 0.008inches.

When the first motor completes one revolution, an optical switch detectsa slot cut in the flange of the pulley mounted on the motor drive shaft.This optical switch activates of the electronics for deactivating thefirst motor and activation of the second motor thereby activation acover slip transport mechanism. The deactivation will cease rotation ofthe first roller while the activation of the second motor will cause thesecond roller to activate. At this point the cover slip has beendispensed in an upward direction by the first roller 140 and through thepair of shafts 202, 204.

This second roller and the entire cover slipper dispenser are mounted soas to be in contact with the third roller. Since the third roller is anidler roller mounted at the end of the cover slipper platen, it willconsequently position the cover slip accordingly. As the second motordrives the second roller in a clockwise direction, it lifts the coverslip upward. At this point the cover slip is still being dispensed in avertical direction. As it passes through the second roller it has to betilted to the left so that it will lay at an angel of approximately 25degrees onto the cover slipper platen, where it can be picked up by thedrive belts and transported up to meet an on-coming slide.

To achieve this action there, the third or free floating roller isutilized. As the slide is lifted up it moves this roller backwards inits slots. As soon as the slip is clear of the second roller, the weightof the free floating roller is sufficient to force the slip to tilt overand lay on the platen.

The slip once ejected is guided into position on the cover slipperplaten by an angled side on the platen. This forces the slip, as it ispicked up by the belt's pips acting as a cover slip drive mechanism, tomove into its correct position. The slip is then transported up thecover slipper platen at an angle to the oncoming slide that is to becovered. The oncoming slide at the last station of the platen hasreceived two jets of resin. These two jets have deposited two drops ofresin to the underside of the slide. The slide continues with the twodrops until it reaches a section of the rails, along which it istraveling, where it is tilted down very slightly at its front edge. Thisaction allows the drops to run forward towards the front edge of theslide. At this point the cover slip leading edge is also very close tothe leading edge of the slide, but still at a slight angle to it. Thedrops of resin catch the cover slip and form a pool of liquid at theleading edge of the slide and slip. The resin is held between these twosurface by surface tension. As the slide and slip proceed further theangle of the slip is further decreased and capillary action takes overcausing the resin to flood rearwards across the face of the slide andslip. This action also causes the slip to be pulled up onto the slide ata slide merge point generally perpendicular to its initial release pointas shown in FIG. 7. This action also causes any air to be pushed out bythe action of the resin flooding across the slide, so that no airbubbles are trapped between the glass surfaces. The action of the resinflowing from front to rear across the face of the slide causes an equaland opposite effect as in Newton's Laws of motion, thus allowing theslip to move from just rear of the front of the slide to actually beingcentered on the slide.

The cover slipped slide is then transported to the end of the platenwhere it is loaded into a pair of slots in the rack collection unit. Itfinally stops being moved once it is entered into the rack and it comesto rest over a heater plate. The heater dries the edges of the slide andslip sufficiently to hold the two in place. The resin contains Toluenewhich will evaporate quickly at a low temperature. The rack isincremented up one pair of slots at a time to allow the slide to beloaded into it in the same sequence as they left the carousel. At theend of a run, the rack can be removed with the slides in it and takenfor reading as these are completely processed slides. The process iscontinued until the rack is completely occupied or the cover slipreceptacle or is emptied.

It is noted that the size of each station and the number of stationsused in the first or second embodiment can be changed in order toaccommodate the testing that is desired (i.e. histology versuscytology).

The method involved in the processing of a histology tissue specimenusing the automated slide staining system of the present inventionincludes a plurality of different solutions to be dispensed at eachstation. At the first station, the paraffin is removed from the tissueby the use of xylene. The specimen is then hydrated with ABS alcohol(second station) followed by a hydration of diluted alcohol (thirdstation). The cell nuclei of the specimen is then treated with ahematoxylin compound (fourth station). The next step is to remove theexcess stain from the specimen using a diluted acid compound (fifthstation). The specimen is dehydrated by using a pure alcohol (sixthstation). The enhancing of the nuclear stain contrast with respect tothe specimen using a dilute alkali solution (seventh station). Thespecimen is then dehydrated by the use of pure alcohol (eight station)The specimen is then stained for cytoplasm by using an eosin compound(ninth station). Again the specimen is dehydrated, this time by the useof ABS alcohol (tenth station). Further dehydration of the specimenoccurs with a solution of 50 percent ABS alcohol and 50 percent xylene(eleventh station). The specimen is cleaned using a xylene solution(twelfth station). At the last dispensing station, a coating is appliedto the slide for maintaining the specimen to be in a contamination freestatus (thirteenth station).

From the last dispensing station, the slide is either transported to adrying station or to a cover slip area.

The method involved in the processing of a cytology tissue specimenusing the automated slide staining system of the present inventionincludes a plurality of different solutions to be dispensed at eachstation. At the first station, the specimen is hydrated with an alcoholsolution. The specimen is hydrated again with a second alcohol solution(second station). The plurality of cell nuclei of the tissue specimen isprocessed with a hematoxylin stain compound (third station). Excessstaining material is then removed from the specimen with a diluted acidsolution (fourth station). The specimen is dehydrated with an alcoholsolution (fifth station). The next step is for enhancing the nuclearstaining contrast of the tissue specimen with a dilute alkali solution(sixth station). The specimen is dehydrated with an alcohol solution(seventh station). The next step is to counterstain the specimen forhighlighting cytoplasmic cell material (eighth station). The removal ofthe excess staining material from the tissue specimen is the next step(ninth station). Counterstaining the specimen for cytoplasmic cellcontrast then occurs (tenth station). The specimen is then dehydratedwith ABS alcohol (eleventh station). Further dehydration of the specimenoccurs with a second dispensing of ABS alcohol (twelfth station).Optionally, at this twelfth station, the specimen can be dehydrated witha solution of 50 percent ABS alcohol and 50 percent xylene. The specimenis then cleaned with a xylene compound (thirteenth station). At the lastdispensing station, a coating is applied to the slide for maintainingthe specimen to be in a contamination free status (fourteenth station).

From the last dispensing station, the slide is either transported to adrying station or to a cover slip area.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A cover slip apparatus for use with a slide of a slidestaining system, comprising:a receptacle for storing a plurality ofcover slips, wherein said receptacle includes an opening; a releasemechanism for dispensing cover slips one at a time from a release pointassociated with said opening within said receptacle, said releasemechanism including an ejector to selectively advance cover slips one ata time from a rest position; a transport mechanism comprising aplurality of rollers adapted to receive a cover slip from said releasemechanism; a drive mechanism associated to receive a cover slip fromsaid transport mechanism and to advance it away from said transportmechanism and said receptacle; and a slide merge point positionedadjacent said drive mechanism and away from said release point.
 2. Acover slip apparatus as recited in claim 1, where said receptacleincludes an open end, a roller in contact with a first exposed coverslip, said roller acting as said ejector by selectively rotating toeject the cover slip from said receptacle.
 3. A cover slip apparatus asrecited in claim 2, wherein a cover slip metering device is disposedbetween said release mechanism and said transport mechanism.
 4. A coverslip apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said cover slip meteringdevice comprises at least two opposing elements defining a gaptherebetween such that only one cover slip may pass through said gapfrom said release mechanism to said transport mechanism.
 5. A cover slipapparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said gap is in the range ofapproximately 0.008 inches.
 6. A cover slip apparatus as recited inclaim 4, wherein said opposing elements include shafts.
 7. A cover slipapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein a first roller of saidtransport mechanism selectively receives each released cover slip fromsaid release mechanism, and rotates to advance it along a predeterminedpath away from said release point and toward said merge point.
 8. Acover slip apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein a second roller ofsaid transport mechanism selectively receives each cover slip from saidfirst roller, and displaces it from said initial direction of motion tobe advanced toward said merge point.
 9. A cover slip apparatus asrecited in claim 8, wherein said second roller is an idler rollerpositioned adjacent to said drive mechanism.
 10. A cover slip apparatusas recited in claim 9, wherein said second roller is free-floating, butbiased toward a rest position adjacent said first roller by its weight.11. A cover slip apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein as saidsecond roller receives each cover slip from said first roller, saidsecond roller is selectively displaced from its rest position.
 12. Acover slip apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said first roller ofsaid transport mechanism is driven by a motor.
 13. A cover slipapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism comprisesa pair of conveyor belts.
 14. A cover slip apparatus as recited in claim13, wherein said conveyor belts includes means to contact and expediteadvancement of each cover slip from said transport mechanism toward saidmerge point.
 15. A cover slip apparatus as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid merge point is generally perpendicular to said release point.
 16. Acover slip apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said releasemechanism includes a first member opposing a movable member, the coverslips selectively disposed between said first member and said movablemember.
 17. A cover slip apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein aspring is disposed between a fixed portion of said receptacle and saidmovable member, said spring biased to force said movable member towardsaid first member.
 18. A cover slip apparatus for use with a slide of aslide staining system, comprising:a receptacle for storing a pluralityof cover slips, wherein said receptacle includes an opening forselectively dispensing each cover slip one at a time; a releasemechanism for dispensing cover slips one at a time from a release pointwithin said receptacle, said release mechanism including a first memberand an opposing movable member, the movable member acting as an ejectorto selectively advance cover slips one at a time from a rest position; atransport mechanism comprising a plurality of rollers adapted to receivea cover slip from said release mechanism, a first roller selectivelyreceiving each released cover slip from said release mechanism andadvancing it along a predetermined path away from said release point; acover slip metering device disposed between said release mechanism andsaid transport mechanism comprising at least two opposing elementsdefining a gap therebetween such that only one cover slip may passthrough said gap; a drive mechanism to receive a cover slip from saidtransport system and to advance it away from said transport mechanismand said receptacle; and a slide merge point positioned adjacent saiddrive mechanism and away from said release point.
 19. A cover slipapparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said first roller is generallyaligned with said release mechanism; anda second roller of saidtransport mechanism selectively receiving each cover slip from saidfirst roller and displacing it from said initial direction of motion tobe advanced toward said merge point.
 20. A cover slip apparatus asrecited in claim 18, further comprising a platen associated with saiddrive mechanism, each cover slip in selective contact with said platenas it is advanced by said drive mechanism.
 21. A cover slip apparatus asrecited in claim 18, wherein said merge point is generally perpendicularto said release point.